ROSALIA, Wash. — US-195 is reopened after a crash blocked the entire roadway for most of the day on Saturday, Nov. 16 about three miles north of Rosalia. Washington State Patrol identified the victim of the deadly crash as a 13-year-old from Pullman, Zion Bischoff.
Troopers said a semi with a trailer was going southbound on US-195 when the driver lost control on the icy road. The truck and trailer jackknifed across the northbound lanes.
The car the victim was a passenger in was going north in the left lane when it crashed into the semi. It then pushed into the right lane into two other vehicles. The trailer of the jackknifed truck also struck the trailer of another semi parked on the shoulder of US-195.
The family of Zion Bischoff released the following statement to KREM 2.
"We are deeply saddened by the sudden and tragic loss of our beloved son, Zion Bischoff. Zion’s vibrant love for Jesus and others illuminated every room he entered, and his infectious joy touched the hearts of all who knew him. His personality was truly contagious, and from the day he was born, there was an innate leadership within him that inspired everyone around him. Though our hearts are broken, our unwavering hope in the promise of eternal life through Jesus sustains us during this incredibly difficult time.
Early on Saturday morning, Zion was involved in a fatal vehicle accident, in which his father, Stephen Bischoff, and his brother, Isaiah Bischoff, were also injured. His brother has since been released from the hospital, while his father continues to receive medical care. Zion’s legacy of love, joy, and faith lives on through the countless lives he touched in his community.
We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to our community for the incredible outpouring of love our family has received. Zion was so incredibly loved by all, and his influence continues to inspire us in ways words cannot fully capture. To honor Zion's memory, we invite you to tune in to Saturday’s WSU football game, where players will wear his initials, “ZB,” across their helmets in tribute.
During this time, we humbly ask for your continued prayers as we navigate this heartbreaking journey of grief, finding strength in God’s promises and the hope of eternal life. Zion’s light will continue to shine brightly in our hearts."
The Washington State University Cougars will wear "ZB" on their helmets during the Saturday, Nov. 23 football game against Oregon State University in tribute to Zion.
Community members are also supporting the family through a GoFundMe that has already raised more than $136,000.